First, a look at some of the case details after repairs and refinishing:
The green painted dust cover is a marvel of finishing!
Stepping back in time, we view the piano as it arrived and work started:
Above is the piano as it arrived from the auction house.
Top view with the action and keyboard removed
Strings removed, starting to remove the soundboard
After the soundboard was removed, starting to repair the wooden frame
Case repairs continue
The keyboard and action is in two sections – the lowest 56 notes and the upper 12. Above is the top 12 notes section of the action with almost 200 years of dirt!
This is one of the largest hammers
Only one note played when it first arrived, and all other action parts were in a heap
The action apart and spread out:
Damper levers on the left, underhammers in the centre and hammers on the right.
Some sorting is required!
Starting to restore the underhammers, removing leather facing and hinges, all of which are leather
Three sets of leather pieces cut and ready for gluing, using the original style of glue
Above: the underhammers, or levers, covered with new leather.
Left – underhammers in the process of gluing on their leather hinges; right – the lowest hammer with all leather work completed.
Three major components of the action with new leather hinges, from left – hammers, underhammers or levers and damper levers
Detail of the relationship between the jack, underhammer and the hammer (without the supporting rails)
Damper lever, flange and damper on the left; the back of the key and the action pieces above it.
Following pictures: more details of the cabinet are shown below, prior to stringing with replica wire
A view of the new soundboard (right) and the back of the keys with their jacks
Towards the left side of the case, showing the pinblock (top)
A view of the right side of the new sitka spruce soundboard and the hitch pin block
Top view of the soundboard
Nunns Square Piano 